found at the neighbouring Island of Ascension. I t is a deep-sea
fish, generally taken through the year, and is good for food.
Pomatomus, Eisso.
* P . te l e s c o p ium , Eisso.—The Black Mullet is also obtained in
the Mediterranean and neighbouring parts of the Atlantic. I t is
rare at St. Helena, hut is caught throughout the year in shallow
water on the coast, and used for food.
Fam. Squamipinnes.
Chsetodon, Art.
*C. s a n c t s e h e le n s e , Gthr.—The Cunning-fish is quite peculiar
to St. Helena, and is one of the most beautiful little creatures ever
seen. All the year round it inhabits the shallow water on the coast,
and is so tame that amongst the boats at the landing-steps it may
he seen through the clear water, its pearly hue, mounted by bright
yellow fins, making it a most conspicuous and pretty object.
*C. d ic h r o u s , Grthr. — The Bastard Cunning-fish is a very
similar species, but marked across the body with dark bands. I t is
peculiar to St. Helena, but comparatively rare. A figure of it is given
in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for April, 1869, p. 238.
Fam. Bparidce.
Sargus, Klein.
*S . c a p e n s i s , Smith.-r^The Old Wife of St. Helena, found also at
the Cape of Good Hope and Ascension Island, is abundant throughout
the year, and is an excellent table fish. I t inhabits the shallow
water round the coasts in large numbers.
Cirrhitichthys, Blkr.
*C. f a s c ia tu s , C. & V .—The Granny Pisli, also obtained at
Pondicherry, is not at St. Helena taken for food, it being of insignificant
size.
Fam. Scorpcenidae.
Scorpsena, Art.
* S . m e l l i s s i i , Gthr.—Quite peculiar to St. Helena, where it is
called Sand or Deepwater Gurnard. I t is not considered good for
food, hut is eaten by some of the natives who are able to overcome
the prejudice against its extreme ugliness.
' *S . s c r o f ln a , 0. & V.—-The Mail or Eock Gurnard is also found
in Brazil. At St. Helena, it inhabits the shallow water around the
coast, and may be taken throughout the year, but is not much
esteemed as food.
Sebastes, C. & V.
*S . n ig r o p u n c t a t u s , Gthr.—This splendid fish, the Deep-water
Jack, peculiar to St. Helena, is excellent as food. I t is caught
throughout the year in 80 to 100 fathoms of water, and generally
found to be dead when brought to the surface, being killed by
hauling it up through so great a depth.
Fam. Berycidce..
Myripristis, Cuv.
*M . ja c o b u s , C. & V .— Bastard Soldier, not very abundant at
St. Helena, also found at the West Indies and Brazil.
Holocentrum, Art.
*H . lo n g ip in n e , C. & Y .— The Soldier of St. Helena, also found
in the West Indies, is taken along the shore in shallow water during
the summer months. I t is one of the best table fish.
Polymixia, Lowe.
P . n o b i l i s , Lowe.—The Beard-fish is also found at M a d e ir a it
inhabits deep water, and is rarely taken at St. Helena.
Fam. Xiphiidce.
Xiphias, Art.
X . g la d iu s , ? Linn.—-The Sword-fish, which occurs also in the
Mediterranean and the Atlantic Seas, is sometimes taken from deen
water off St. Helena. •
Fam. Acronuridee.
Acanthurus, Schn.
•A . c h i r u r g u s , BL—The Trooper of St. Helena. A fine fish
but rarely taken, though it inhabits shallow water near the shore’
I t is also found on the Atlantic coasts of tropical America and
Africa.; ■